Is Unwanted Lust a Sin According to Scripture
According to Scripture, unwanted lust is considered a sin, as sin encompasses not only outward actions but also inward states and desires [4]. The Bible defines sin as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [4], including the inward state and habit of the soul [4].
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 7:7, states, "I did not know sin except through law; for also I did not know lust except the law said, 'You shall not lust'" [5]. This passage indicates that the law reveals lust as sinful. "Lust" is understood as sinful longing or evil desire, an inward sin that can lead to falling away from God [1, 8]. James 1:15 further explains this process: "Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death" [2]. This highlights the progression from inward desire to outward sin and its ultimate consequence [2, 3].
Biblical texts describe sin as originating from the heart [3]. The imaginations of the unrenewed heart are considered sinful [3]. While all human beings are born with a sinful nature, the godly are called to fight against it, in contrast to the wicked who indulge it [9]. John Gill, in his commentary on Galatians 5:18, notes that "works of the flesh" include not only external acts of sin but also inward lusts such as hatred, wrath, and envyings [10]. These are called "works of the flesh" because they spring from corrupt nature and are what it urges and solicits [10].
The concept of adultery, for instance, extends beyond the physical act to include lustful thoughts. Jesus taught that "everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This demonstrates that the internal desire itself, when indulged, is considered a transgression [11]. The Mosaic law also addressed adultery, defining it as illicit intercourse with a married or betrothed woman [6, 7].
Therefore, even if lust is "unwanted" in the sense that one struggles against it, the presence of the lustful desire itself is identified as sin because it is a transgression of God's law and originates from the corrupt nature [1, 4, 5, 10]. Christians are called to reflect their faith by not taking sin lightly and by having hearts renewed by the Holy Spirit, which includes resisting sexual sins and lustful desires [11].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lust — Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.”
- James “Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death. -- James 1:15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sin — Is the transgression of the law -- 1Jo 3:4. Is of the devil -- 1Jo 3:8; Joh 8:44. All unrighteousness is -- 1Jo 5:17. Omission of what we know to be good is -- Jas 4:17. Whatever is not of faith is -- Ro 14:23. The thought of foolishness is -- Pr 24:9. All the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are -- Ge 6:5; 8:21. Described as Coming from the heart. -- Mt 15:19. The fruit of lust. -- Jas 1:15. The sting of death. -- 1Co 15:56. Rebellion against God. -- De 9:7; Jos 1:18. Works of darkness. -- Eph 5:11. Dead works. -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. The abominable thing that Go”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
- Romans “Romans 7:7 (LITV) — What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Let it not be! But I did not know sin except through law; for also I did not know lust except the law said, "You shall not lust." Ex. 20:17”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Adultery — Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was fornication. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great sin. The Mosaic law (Num. 5:11-31) prescribed that the suspected wife should be tried by the ordeal of the "water of jealousy." There is, however, no recorded instance of the application of this law. In subsequent times the Rabbis made various regulations with the view of disc”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Adultery — (Exodus 20:14) The parties to this crime, according to Jewish law, were a married woman and a man who was not her husband. The Mosaic penalty was that both the guilty parties should be stoned, and it applied as well to the betrothed as to the married woman, provided she were free. (22:22-24) A bondwoman so offending was to be scourged, and the man was to make a trespass offering. (Leviticus 19:20-22) At a later time, and when owing, to Gentile example, the marriage tie became a looser bond of union, public feeling in regard to adultery changed, and the pena”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Concupiscence — Desire, Rom. 7:8 (R.V., "coveting"); Col. 3:5 (R.V., "desire"). The "lust of concupiscence" (1 Thess. 4:5; R.V., "passion of lust") denotes evil desire, indwelling sin.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:18: Now the works of the flesh are manifest,.... By "flesh" is meant corrupt nature, as before, and by the works of it, not only external acts of sin, but inward lusts; for such are here mentioned among its works, as "hatred", "wrath", "envyings", &c. and both external and internal acts are so called, because they spring from the flesh, or corrupt nature, and are what that urges and solicits to, and are wrought thereby, and are what denominate and show men to be carnal: these are said to be "manifest"; not that they are all, and always publicly done, and are open to th”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:9: 6:9-11 Those who willingly sin have no share in the Kingdom of God. The lives of Christians must reflect the faith they confess. 6:9 Don’t fool yourselves: Sin is deceptive; believers should not take it lightly, as if it were somehow acceptable (Jer 17:9). • Continuing to indulge unrepentantly in sexual sin indicates a heart that has not been renewed by the Holy Spirit. Sexual sins include adultery (see Exod 20:14; Matt 5:27-28) and practicing homosexuality (cp. Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rom 1:26-27; 1 Tim 1:10).”